OMRDD Creates Comprehensive Austism Platform to Address Autism Crisis

ALBANY, NY (05/28/2008)(readMedia)-- In response to the growing autism crisis, the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) has created a comprehensive autism platform to combat autism on multiple fronts: research and training; treatment; and family and individual supports.

“The need to study Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and develop appropriate supports and services, looms larger than ever before,” said Diana Jones Ritter, OMRDD Commissioner. “OMRDD is committed to increasing both the effectiveness and capacity of its supports for individuals and families faced with this disability, and joining with others to devise new ways of supporting individuals with autism and their families. In both our communities and our schools, our goal is to help them live richer lives.”

The autism platform encompasses several key initiatives, including the newly created Autism Consortium and Interagency Task Force on Autism. The Autism Consortium will allow OMRDD to better address the needs of individuals with autism and ASDs by pooling research and treatment resources.

The Interagency Task Force on Autism calls on a team of state agencies, who support children and adults with autism, to work collaboratively to provide services and supports and guide the implementation of the autism platform. The task force will be co-chaired by OMRDD and the NYS Education Department.

The OMRDD Autism platform consists of:

→ Increasing research;

→ Translating research results into improved treatment options;

→ Uniting public, private and nonprofit interests to establish statewide research, evaluation and treatment capacity;

→ Networking across State Government to create a “People First” system of comprehensive services; and

→ Providing information to families.

ASDs are on the rise nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported that within some communities, ASD now affects one in every 150 children. OMRDD currently supports more than 16,000 people in New York State with autism or ASDs.

For more information about the OMRDD Autism Platform, contact Kara Smith, OMRDD Director of Public Information, at (518) 474-6601.

- 30 -